Power generation



Sept. 17, 1940. M. PLATZNER POWER GENERATION Filed May 2:5, 1958 2Sheets-Sheet l HIS ATTORNEYS Sept. 17, 1940. M. PLATZNER POWERGENERATION Filed May 23, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheelt 2 INVENTOR r Maf /ud/ATTORNEYS HIS QR m@ o @mo/Q@ w69@ @NWO mk Patented Sept. 17, 1940UNITED' STATES PATENT OFFICE POWER GENERATION Morris Platzner, Chicago,Ill.

Application May 23, 1938, Serial No. 209,569

1 Claim.

My invention relates to the generation of power and includes among itsobjects and advantages a novel system designed to utilize the expansiveforce of freezing Water or other liquids in such a manner as yto performuseful Work.

An object of my'y invention is to provide a power generating systemdesign'edll to utilize the enormous expansive forces of freezing waterin which novel meansare employed for rendering such expansive forceseffective for performing useful work. v

Another object is to provide a system of the type described in which aplurality of power units utilizing the expansive force of freezingliquids for generating power may be successively connectedwith a'powertake-off and in which the power units may be chilled by normalatmospheric temperatures, thereby eliminating the necessity forspecially designed freezing equipment.

A further object is to provide a system of the type described in which aplurality of power units may be successively connected with `a powerVtakeoff and in which the units are of a portable na- 25 ture tofacilitate charging with liquid to be frozen as well as removal of thefrozen liquid from the unit at a point remote from the power take-off.

In the accompanying'drawings:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic top plan view of a power system embodying myinvention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1

Fig. 4 is a view taken fromr the position indicated by line 4-4 of Fig.1;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a different form of power unit;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. '7 is a sectional View along the line 'I-'I of Fig. 6.

In the embodiment selected to illustrate my invention, I make use of aplurality of power cylinders I0, I2 and I4. These cylinders areidentical in construction and operation so that any description of onehereafter willfapply to all. In Fig. 3, the power cylinder I 0 includesa slidable piston I6 connected with a rod I8 which is rectangular incross section and slidably supported within the bearing 2Il. Bearing 20is in the nature of a boX formed integrally with a closure plate 22connected with one end of the cylinder vbybolts 24. The opposite end ofthe cylinder I0 is internally threaded at26 for the cylinder ID issupplied with water preparatory 10v to freezing the same. 'I'he cylinderis preferably charged with water at its greatest density, and theexpansive force of the water in freezing is transmitted to the piston I6for urging the same in the direction of the plate 22, which l5' movementimparts outward movement of the rod I8. In the normal position of Fig.3, the piston I6 is spaced from the plate 22 sufficiently far toaccomodate movement of the piston in response to the expansive forces ofthe freezing 20 water. Upon the rod I8, I mount a compression spring 36which is arranged in abutting relation with the piston I6 and the plate22. Spring 36 is of sufficient stiffness to normally hold the piston I6in the normal position of Fig. 3 against 25 the pressure forces of thewater 34 when poured in the cylinder. A collar 38 is xedly secured onthe rod I8 by a set screw 40, which collar engages the bearing or boss20 to prevent the spring 36 from urging the piston I6 inwardly of the30v cylinder I0 beyond the normal position of Fig. 3, as when chargingthe cylinder with water.

Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate the construction of lthe trucks 42 whichsupport the cylinders I0, I2 and I4. YAccording toI Fig. 3, the truck 42may com- 3'5 prise end walls 44 flanged and depressed at 46 to providecurvatures which partly embrace the cylinder III. End walls 44 may bewelded to the frame structure 46', and the latter is provided withcasters 48 which facilitate movement of the unit which in largeinstallations may embody considerable weight. Cylinder I0 may be weldedto the flanges 46.

In providing trucks for the cylinders I0, I2 and I4, the cylinders maybe charged with water 45 at a point remote from the operating system. Atthe same time, after the water in the cylinders is frozen solid, theunits may be conveyed to a dump, and the ice removed therefrom. Inremoving the ice, the plugs 28 may be unscrewed 50 from their respectivecylinders, and the applica-- tion of heat to the cylinders will loosenthe ice within a sho-rt period of time. After loosening the ice, it iseasily remo-ved by tilting the cylin' ders at a slight angle, at whichtime the ice willA drop out of its own weight. Heat may be applied tothe cylinders by storing the same in a heated room c-r bathing the samein warm water.

Referring to Fig. 1, the cylinders Ill, I2 and Hl are arranged inparallel and spaced relation, and their rear ends are positioned inabutting relation with a heavy abutment 5t having sufficient strength toresist the expansive forces of the freezing water so that such expansiveforces are applied to the pistons I6 and, in turn, to the rods I8. Tofacilitate quick and easy alignment of the cylinders', each screw plug2B is provided with a locating pin or shaft 52 arranged to t loosely ina bore 5t in the abutment 58. The abutment is preferably constructed ofconcrete.

Figs. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate two driven shafts 58 and 58 which arearranged in spaced parallel relation at right angles to the longitudinalaxes of the cylinders lil, I2 and I4. Shafts 5G and 58 are rotatablysupported within bearings B8 carried by pedestals E52 mounted upon thefloor or supporting structure indicated generally at 64. The pedestals(i2 may be securely fastened to supporting structure @li by bolts 85.Upon the shaft '58 I xedly connect three sprockets 58 which are alignedwith the power rods i8. Three similar sprockets l@ are xedly connectedwiththe shaft 58 and are aligned with the sprockets 8S to be operativelyconnected therewith through the medium of endless chains 12.

Chains 'I2 may be of conventional design but should include spacedshafts or pins I4. In Fig. 3, the rod I8 is provided with a threaded end'I6 for connection with a turn buckle v"I8, which, in turn, has threadedconnection with the rod ali having a dog or claw 82 arranged to passbetween two adjacent shafts I4 of the chain l2. The claw is providedwith a slight concavity 84 which has pressure relation with the shaft'I4 in the position 86 for moving the lower reach of the chain l2 in thedirection of the arrow 88 in response to the expansive force of thefreezing water in the associated cylinder.

In Fig. 3, the lower reach of the chain I2 is illustrated as having aslight degree of slack, which slack is sufficient to permit the lowerreach to be raised sufficiently far to clear the claw 82. thusfacilitating connection and disconnection. After placement of the clawas illustrated in Fig. 3, the concavity 84 is held in effective relationwith the shaft It in the position 86 since the lower chain is restrainedfrom dropping lower than the position illustrated because of thesupporting relation between the rod 88 and the chain. The chains are sosupported as to normally take the degree of slack illustrated in Fig. 3but without resting on the rods t. The supporting relation between therods 8u and the chains is important only in the event of considerablewear in the chains, which might result in considerably more slack than`that illustrated.

Any shifting of the pistons I6 within their respective cylinders causespower to be applied to the chains l2, which, in turn, rotates the shaft58. Shaft 58 is operatively connected with a shaft 90 through the mediumof a universal coupling 92 (see Fig. 1) Upon the shaft 913, I key alarge gear 94 (see Fig. 4), which gear is arranged in mesh with a smallpinion 98 keyed to a shaft 98. A large gear IIBIJ is keyed to the shaft38 and is in mesh with a small pinion IGZ keyed to a shaft |04 A largegear IM is keyed to the shaft |84 and is in mesh with a small pinion |88keyed to the shaft H8. Upon the shaft IIB I key a large gear |I2 whichis arranged in mesh with a small pinion ||4 keyed to the'shaft IIB.Shafts 90, 98, |04, and |I6 are rotatably supported by pedestals ||8(see Figs. 1 and 4). In Figs. 1 and. 2, the shaft IIB is keyed to asprocket |20. The air compressor |22 is provided with an operatingsprocket |24 operatively connected with the sprocket |20 through themedium of a chain |26. Air compressor |22 may be of conventional designand may be connected with a suitable compresser air storage tank |28through the medium of a conduit |30.

While the travel of the pistons I6 is limited to the degree of expansionof the freezing water, the gears illustrated in Fig. 4 are soproportioned as to function as a speed increaser so that slow travel ofthe pistons IB is converted into high speed rotary movement of the shaftI IS which is operatively connected with the air compressor I22. Theexpansive force of freezing water is enormous so that the gear ratio ofthe speed increaser may be such as to convert relatively slow andlimited movement of the pistons I6 into exceedingly high rotary motionof the shaft H6 which drives the air compressor, thus rendering the aircompressor highly efficient.

In Fig. 3, I have indicated the approximate travel of the piston I6,which is from the full line position illustrated to the dotted lineposition |32. Shaft elements 'I4 are so spaced that the claw 82 travelsa distance equal to two spaces between the adjacent shafts 14. Thesprockets B8 and 'I0 are keyed to their respective shafts in the samerelative positions so that the shaft elements I4 are axially aligned inthe different chains 12. In this way, one claw 82 may be operativelyconnected with its respective chain 'I2 at the moment one of the otherclaws 82 reaches the termination of its travel. In operation, thecylinders may be charged individually and conveyed into their operatinglocation against the abutment 50. When a given cylinder is properlylocated, the claw 82 associated therewith is connected with itsrespective chain 12. In view of the slight degree of slack in thechains, the lower reaches may be elevated to facilitate location of theclaws in proper position with the pressure shaft 'I4 associated withthat chain. In view of the limited travel of the piston I6, it isimportant that the claws 82 be rendered immediately effective on theirrespective chains 12 when the cylinders are placed in abutting relationwith the abutment 50. To this end, Fig. 3 illustrates the rod 8|) asbeing provided with a handle I 34 which may be utilized to preventrotation of the rod when the turn buckle 'I8 is adjusted for lengtheningor shortening the'effective reach of the rod 8Ii. Thus, the claw 82 maybe positioned between the adjacent shafts 14 and the turn buckleadjusted slightly to bring the claw into pressure relation with theshaft 'I4 in the position 85. The squared reach of the rod I8 preventsrotation thereof.

In Fig. l, cylinder I0 has just been placed while cylinder I2 hasexpanded half its energy and cylinder I4 has performed its useful workand may be removed for recharging. While I have illustrated threecylinders, `more or less may be employed. My invention is primarilydesigned for installation at high altitudes or in regions where theatmospheric temperature is such as to freeze the water. The system maybe utilized for operating various types of machines. The 'compressed airstorage tank |28 may be operatively connected with machinery to beoperated. In an installation of this nature, the application of energyis not uniform, but in using the system for compressing air, a largereservoir of compressed air may be built up, which air will operate witha higher degree of uniformity than a direct connection between the vsystem and machinery to be operated. The

cylinders are so constructed as to withstand the enormous pressuresincident to freezing of the liquid. In a cold region, a heated buildingmay be employed for charging and unloading the cylinders while thetrucks associated therewith facilitate transportation of the cylindersfor such purposes.

In interposing a turn buckle in the connection between the chains andthe pistons, I provide means whereby the claws 82 may be adjusted intopressure relation immediately upon placement of the cylinders or at themoment when expansion takes place in the cylinders. In this way, Irender the expansive force of the freezing water immediately effectiveon the operated part. Should an expanded cylinder not be removedimmediately upon complete eX- pansion of its energy, the claw 82associated therewith does not impede relative movement of that chainsince each claw is provided with a cam surface |36 which causes theadjacent shaft 14 to climb easily. The pins or shafts 52 are preferablysquare in cross section so that a wrench may be applied thereto forremoving the closure plugs 28. The ice in the cylinders may be easilyand quickly removed. With the cylinder placed in a heated building, theice loosens rapidly and expansion.` of the cylinder additionally freesthe ice. For rapid removal, heat may be applied to the cylinder.

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate a slightly different form of cylinderstructure in which four cylinders |38 are connected as a unit. The endsof the cylinders are positioned in recesses |40 in end plates |42, whichplates are drawn into pressure relation with the cylinders through themedium of bolts |44. The pistons |46 which correspond to the pistons I5are connected with rods |48, which, in turn, are xedly connected with ahead |50 connected with the rod |52 corresponding to the rod I8. Thecylinders making up a unit are mounted upon a suitable truck |54. Theconstruction of Figs. 5, 6 and '7 is of a faster freezing type, but inother respects the operation is the same and the units are the fullequivalent of the cylinders previously described so far as the generalarrangement within the set-up is concerned.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully explain myinvention that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adaptthe same for use under various conditions of service.

I claim:

In a power generating system, an abutment, a pair of driven shaftsrotatably journaled in a stationary support spaced from said abutment,sprockets on said shafts, a chain passing around said sprockets fordriving the shafts in unison, one of said shafts constituting a powertake-01T, a cylinder for containing liquid to be frozen arranged inabutting relation with said abutment, a piston in said cylinder normallyspaced from its ends to provide a liquid containing chamber and anexpansion chamber for the piston, a push rod connected with the pistonand having a claw for engaging links of the chain, and resilient meansinterposed between the piston and one end of the cylider for holding thepiston in its normal position against the weight of the liquid, butyielding upon freezing of the liquid for moving the push rod.

MORRIS PLATZNER.

